On Thursday, July 28, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will host a virtual arts performance in tribute to the children of Ukraine, as part of the 2022 Summer Arts Showcase for the Girls Empowering and Mentoring (G.E.M.) Summer Arts Camp. The annual Summer Arts Showcase combines vocals, music, performing arts, and a fine arts exhibition by girls, ages 6-14, who participated in the camp over the summer. Everyone is invited to watch via live stream on Miami-Dade Parks’ Facebook page.
The G.E.M. girls will perform an inspiring selection of songs and folkloric Ukrainian dance, holding soniashnyk (“sunflowers”), Ukraine’s national flower. Throughout Ukraine’s history, the sunflower has been a symbol of peace and in recent times the flower has emerged as a global symbol of unity and hope for a country wracked by war.
“The G.E.M. Summer Arts Camp is proud to be a shining light of hope to thousands of Ukrainian children through a combination of fine and performing arts. By giving voice to the thoughts and feelings of the G.E.M. girls, this heart-felt tribute shows us how art has the power to unite and enrich us, individually and collectively, like no other,” said Vivian Greer-Digon, manager for Miami-Dade Parks’ G.E.M. Summer Arts Camp for Girls.
G.E.M. Summer Arts Camp, held at the Roxy O’Neal Bolton Women’s History Gallery at The Women’s Park, is a transformative six-week program, providing girls with arts opportunities far beyond traditional summer arts programs. The program gives participants the opportunity to voice their thoughts and feelings, and be empowered by their learning experiences to face challenges and pursue their dreams. For more information, call 305-480-1717.
A unique aspect of G.E.M.’s leadership is the venue itself, The Women’s Park. Created by Miami-Dade Parks in 1992, it was the nation’s first park dedicated to women. G.E.M. aligns itself with this iconic and historic park and serves as a fitting tribute to the legacy of The Women’s Park, with its ability to positively impact youth for the betterment and resilient future of our diverse multi-cultural community.
